Erica Sunday 26^th June, 2009

Ian Payne	Honda CBR1000	Misho Zrakic/Pina Garasi	Yamaha R6
Dave Ward	Honda CBR1000	Geoff Shugg	Suzuki DL650
Peter Jones	Honda CBR1000	Ron Johnston	Honda VFR800
Chris Tran	Honda CBR1000	Cliff Peters	Suzuki GSXR1000
Ben Warden/Ha Du (rear)	Honda CBR954	Tony Stegmar	Hayabusa GSXR1300
Dennis Lindemann (lead)	Honda CBR600	John Irvine	Suzuki GSX1400

It was another good turn out with 12 bikes and 14 people, considering it’s winter with a cold weather forecast. We even had a first time rider from NSW who is currently working here. Misho and Pina were two up on the R6 because Misho’s bike is still having the “suspension” worked on. Ben had Ha were on the back of his bike, Ha a pillion, because her bike was out of action as well.

Dennis gathered us around and told us where we were going.

Time to mount up and head off into them thar hills. Kinglake, Mount Slide, Toolangi, Chum Creek – a smart move ‘cos Myers Creek road would have been damp and green, whereas Chum Creek road was dry and had the sun on it. After the bush fires they have cleared the land making place unrecognisable. It’s good to see people are rebuilding, with only one or two places for sale.

Healesville, Don Valley to Yarra Junction where there were lots of people. I think the market was on. From Yarra Junction to Powelltown is a great bit of road.

Powelltown was the first stop which was good because it breaks up the usual routine. Whilst here, about 20 to 30 bikes went past. A short time later a few came back including a lady on a 80s model Yamaha XS 750 cruiser who had crashed. Someone on a Harley Davidson stalled going into a corner and she had nowhere to go. Damage was minimal. I saw Ben helping out on the bike.

We headed off to Noojee at a steady pace, the road damp in a few places, but okay. Before Noojee you go past a place called Piedmont Wineries. It’s on a short, straight bit of road. Vehicles were parked across the driveway and one across the road. I slowed down to see what was happening, thinking people were getting firewood, but I was wrong. A silver Falcon had come down the road, veered off a few degrees across the driveway and they have hit a tree head head on about three car lengths into the bush. There was a car wheel lying on the drive way, which may have knocked the car off course. Seeing is believing.

Icy Creek to Moe for fuel and back out on to the Moe / Rawson road to Erica where we stopped for lunch. This was a pleasant surprise because we usually pass straight through here. We caused an unexpected rush at the shop, but they managed. Down behind the servo there was a collection of old cars and a WWII crane truck, either a Ford or a Chev. There were also some Ford Customlines and a couple of Dodge utes rusting away quietly in the long grass.

I am starting to get used to my VFR, but still miss the old Bandit 1200, especially in the power department. Dreams are free.

Ian had left us at Powelltown. Now Chris and Geoff left.

Back on the road again, Parkers Corner and onto the Tyers Loop. This has to be one of my all time favourite pieces of road. I tried to give the VFR a workout, or me or both. The road is starting to get rough in a few places. John on the GSX 1400 was punching on really well.

Tyers, Yallourn North and on to Purvis road. I like this road as well; it’s got a bit of every thing.

On to the Old Sale Road, Buln Buln, Crossover, Jindivick and Longwarry North where we break up.

Thanks to Dennis for leading and doing something different. Good weather, good people, no incidents. I think John will be back as he thoroughly enjoyed himself. Thanks to Ben and Ha for rear rider duties.

Ron Johnston